Mags Cue: Apparel entrepreneur extraordinaire

I am not one who enjoys socials. I prefer to sit it out in my quiet nook at the office to finish my work for the day. When I met Mags Cue, the owner of Mags, the nationwide clothing fashion line, and she invited me to her birthday party the next day, I ended up being persuaded by the celebrator to attend this important milestone in her life.

It is difficult to imagine Mags being unconvincing. She does not only have the facility for language, but the feminine beauty and charm that, I am sure, make her a successful promoter and chief executive officer of her company.

Mags, I would soon find out in our first-time conversation, is married to businessman Oliver John Cue. They have four sons: Patrick, Paolo, Andre, and Anton — the first two graduates of Sustainability and Marketing, respectively, at the Enderun Colleges. Andre is a senior high school student at the Xavier School, while Anton is in kindergarten at Kong Hua School.

Growing up in Batangas, she was exposed early to business as her parents were owners of a garments firm and a restaurant. Mags did not take up business administration in college at the Far Eastern University, but chose to major in Psychology instead. This, I believe, has been useful in her assessment of the behavior of Filipinas when it comes to grooming.

Mags founded the brand MAGS in 2014. Today, it has 24 branches nationwide in prime malls. She emphasizes, "It has always been my nature to work hard for something I want to achieve in life and, more importantly, my advocacy is to empower women."

From day one, she knew the kind of Filipina and woman she was targeting. She identifies them as "the fashionable and chic women of all ages in different sizes. Simply said, they are all women of style."

A woman generous with her time and the resources that she has worked hard for, Mags is the consummate do-gooder. She contributes to philanthropic causes through her involvement in the Philippine Cancer Society and Rotary Club. In Cagayan de Oro City, she has done her ample share by "empowering women through my annual fashion show of real people and staging the Miss CdO Pageant."

It was in college when she met her future husband, Oliver, whose family originally lived in Cotabato but has since transferred to Manila. After four years of courtship and engagement, they tied the knot in 1997. After the arrival of their first-born, they settled in Cagayan de Oro. Oliver, she points out, is her financial adviser.

To get to know her better, I interviewed Mags online. What comes to mind after I read her answers, is a lady who is not only smart when it comes to business, but also a loving wife and mother, and a concerned citizen of her community. Of course, like the women who patronize MAGS, she is herself a woman of style.

'He fought for me'
Daily Tribune (DT): What is your formula for a happy marriage?
Mags Cue (MC): We love and support each other in everything that we do.

DT: What is the best gift that you have received from your husband?
MC: My sons.
DT: Of the many things that your husband tells you, what is the sweetest?
MC: That he fought for me because he loves me that much.

DT: What do you whisper to him before you go to sleep?
MC: I love you so much.

'Choose someone who respects her parents'
DT: Given four boys who will always be boys, as the saying goes, what is your formula for raising your sons?
MC: Patience, understanding, and prayers that God will guide me to lead them to the right path.

DT: What is the greatest joy that each of your sons has given you?
MC: In the case of the first two, that they finished college. The last two, that they are doing well in school. They are all well-behaved and talented in their own unique ways.

DT: If each of your sons were to inherit a trait of their father, what would that be for each of them?
MC: Humility and kindness.

DT: What is your advice to your sons on how they should choose a girlfriend or a wife?
MC: She should be someone who respects her parents so much because how she treats her parents will also be how she will treat you when you get married.

'Be the best of yourself'
DT: You are a successful businesswoman. What sustains your energy during the whole work day?
MC: I may sound so fake but the truth is I attend Mass every day and that keeps me going. Prayers give me strength and positive energy.

DT: What puts a smile on your face at work?
MC: When I see clients who are so happy and proud wearing MAGS.

DT: What is your success formula for managing a nationwide business?
MC: You should know how to rise above difficulties and challenges.

DT: What is your advice to women who buy MAGS garments?
MC: Choose an outfit that best suits your personality, and be the best version of yourself.

'It's not all about money'
DT: Who are your favorite designers and how do their creations make you feel better?
MC: Renee Salud, aside from being an Icon, creates fabulous designs that are truly amazing and he always puts a touch of Filipino culture. I admire too Albert Andrada, Cary Santiago, and Chico Estiva.

DT: What is always in your bag?
MC: Money, cellphone, and alcohol with moisturizer.

DT: What is the international destination you keep going back to?
MC: Bangkok because of the food.